1. 1 Introduction Overview This annotated PowerPoint is designed to help communicate about your instructional priorities. Note: The facts and data here are not real; we are using them to illustrate an approach to communications. What is the challenge you are trying to solve? Throughout the process, you will need to keep reminding stakeholders WHY you are proposing to reallocate resources, WHAT you are doing, and how the “dots connect”: overall student achievement goals > instructional priorities > strategic finance plan (with proposed cost savings) > annual budget. At this point, your district has identified its instructional priorities either through a separate strategic planning process or through other feedback mechanisms (e.g., survey). This presentation can be used to convey those decisions to the public. What will you get out of this activity? Stakeholders (internal and external) will have a clearer understanding of your proposed instructional priorities — both WHAT they are and WHY they will benefit student learning. When should you do this activity? Step 4: Develop Instructional Priorities Use a document like this as the foundation for communicating about your priorities. How long will it take to complete? Half to a full day for communications/engagement director or staff, including two to three rounds of revisions; Input from project manager, chief academic officer (instruction), and/or other project leaders; 30 minutes from Stakeholder Committee members. Instructional Priorities (Version for Step 4)

2. 2 Introduction Who should be involved? This tool is recommended for use at the district level. Recommended contributors include: Communications/engagement director or staff Project manager, chief academic officer, and/or other project leaders to provide details and vet messages Input from Stakeholder Committee Is technical assistance support necessary? No Tips & Tricks In many ways, this is the central messaging document. You need to make a compelling case for these investments to address the inevitable opposition to proposed cost savings down the road. Adapt the presentation for use with different audiences: business and civic leaders, teachers, and others whose understanding and support you will need to adopt your new approach to school spending. Alter these messages or create your own, using this document as a guide, to make them appropriate for your local setting and specific audience. Certain sections may be more relevant than others depending on who you are targeting. The amount of text included in each slide may also be adjusted to meet your needs. Use the key messages in this document for other purposes: press release, one-pager, website, talking points, etc. Make sure to remind people how they can continue to have input into this process. Instructional Priorities (Version for Step 4)

3. 3 Instructions for Using This PowerPoint IMPORTANT: Please read in NOTES view. The Notes section for each slide includes two kinds of notes: Why This Slide: Our annotation about how this slide offers communications advice. Speaker’s Notes: Talking points for the speaker. Select the “Notes” option from the “View” toolbar Instructional Priorities (Version for Step 4)

4. 4 Setting Instructional Priorities for Investing in Student Success 2014–17 Smarter School Spending Process ABC District

5. 5 What we value: Success for all students  Value A  Value B  Value C  Value D  Value E

6. 6 Strong early start Effective teaching and school leadership Turn around lowest- performing schools Expanded community partnerships Efficient operations Student Success All roads lead to student success

7. 7 Meeting our challenging goals

8. 8 We’re focused on three key questions How will you improve student outcomes? How will you pay for it? How will you build community support for these budget shifts?

9. 9 We have committed to a multi-month process Advisory Board Meeting Smarter School Spending Steps: Plan and Prepare 1. Organize Process 2. Assess Landscape 3. Start Engaging Stakeholders Set Instructional Priorities 4. Develop Priorities 5. Estimate Cost of Priorities Pay for Priorities 6. Identify Top Savings Options 7. Analyze Top Savings Options Implement Plan 8. Balance Budget Tradeoffs 9. Adopt Strategic Finance Plan 10. Adopt Annual Budget Ensure Sustainability 11. Build Internal Capacity 12. Plan for Continuous Improvement Month 12 3 4 56 789 6 Submit Budget 7 2 3 4 5 Ongoing 1 Introduce SSS to Community Announce Priorities Feedback on Savings Options Present Strategic Finance Plan to Board

10. 10 We heard from you The surveys we conducted identified the following as important priorities for you:  Quality of teaching  Implementing new standards  New and innovative ways to individualize education

11. 11 We then identified the following priorities  Common Core State Standards  Personalized learning  Teacher support through coaching

12. 12 Priority 1: Common Core State Standards  To effectively implement the new Common Core State Standards, we are proposing the following activities: Provide two instructional coaches at each school Provide additional professional development for all teachers Provide stipends for teacher leaders in each subject at each school Benefits for Students List 2-3 bullets

13. 13 Priority 2, 3, etc.  Districts should do a similar slide for each priority  ADD VOICES, TESTIMONIALS. PUT A HUMAN FACE ON THESE IDEAS.

14. 14 The reality: Revenues will stay flat Which means we must find a way to pay for these new investments

15. 15 It’s about the students… and some investments have more impact than others Instructional aides in every classroom Professional development Smaller class size Extended day Additional administrators in schools Technology-enhanced instruction Tutoring New curriculum

16. 16 We’ll need to make smart choices Staggered schedules Same hours for all Classroom coaches Centralized professional development Supporting all electives Prioritizing electives

17. 17 Multiple chances to share your ideas  Steering Committee  Working Group  Action Teams  Stakeholder Committee  Surveys, focus groups  Community conversations  … and more

18. 18 The choice is ours, working together Help us shape the future

19. 19 For more information  Link to district’s web site